Profile For Wayne H.

Dr. Wayne here from Texas, to give all the truck drivers a heads up! Its important to see a "Driver Friendly" DOT fmcsa CME doctor! As you know examination finding can vary depending on circumstances which you may not be aware of. The most critical part of an evaluation are parts which affect the drivers ability to perform his job as a driver. As you all know by now on May 21, 2014, Federal law regarding fmcsa required physical examination changed with most of the rules focused on the Licensed Health Care Providers (LHCP), and reporting requirements now required of each doctor performing evaluations as a Certified Medical Examiner (CME).

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty

Your Certification period depends on several factors. Medications, Past Surgeries, Diagnosed Conditions, Blood Sugar, and Blood Pressure can determine your certification period, just to name a few!

With no surprize, High Blood Pressure is the #1 cause of a reduced Certification Period!

See chart below

Reading Re-Certification 140-159/90-99 Stage 1 1 year Certification 1 year if <140/90 One Time Cert for 3 months if 141-159/91-99 160-179/100-109 Stage 2 One time certification 1 year from date of exam if < 140/90 For 3 months >180/110 Stage 3 6 months from Date 6 month if < 140/90 of Exam if < 140/90

Once its on the record you have Hypertension, you will never have a certification greater than 1 year.

If you are ever in Stage 3, Your are DISQUALIFIED until your BP is within normal limits. You will never have a certification period for greater than 6 months, and your BP must be below 140/90 in order to continue to drive.

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-effect-driver-certification-based-fmcsa-hypertension-stages

Where you go and how the blood pressure is taken can make the difference! We all know about a truck drivers life, and the stress you deal with every day! However, if you go to one of those large corporate owned urgent care centers. Your blood pressure is likely to go up after a 3 -4 hour wait. How the blood pressure is taken also plays a factor in borderline cases. You can affect the blood pressure by 10 points knowing a few simple tricks.

We are developing a "Driver Friendly" Network in Texas. My office is in Corpus Christi but we have offices networked throughout the state!

Feel Free to ask any questions regarding your health and your DOT Physical Examination.

DrW, "Texas Trucking Network"